The lone horseman had disappeared.
Jack and the sheriff proceeded with the caution of two cats, and slowly worked their way down into the hollow.
They presently neared the fire, when a startling scene met their view.
CHAPTER VII.
THE SHERIFF'S MISFORTUNE.
Jack and Timberlake had reached the bottom of the verdure clad hollow, and were lurking behind a clump of bushes.
It was darker down there, if possible, than it had been above, but the ruddy glow of the camp-fire lit up a patch in the scene.
Around the fire were grouped a dozen ruffians, among whom Jack recognized the two James Boys.
Among the others were Jim Cummins, Wood Hite, Clell Miller, Cole Younger and his three brothers, John, Jim and Bob, Dick Little, Jack Keene, Ed McMillan, Bill Chadwell, Hobbs Kerry, Charley and Bob Ford and Oll and George Shepard.
The horses belonging to the gang, most of which had been stolen, were tethered to the nearby tree.